Hogan Lovells mourns loss of Middle East disputes head

Partners at Hogan Lovells are mourning the death of Middle East disputes head Stephen York, who passed away last week.

Stephen York

York, who specialised in construction and engineering disputes and began his career at Slaughter and May, joined Hogan Lovells’ Dubai office as a consultant last year. He worked at a number of different firms during his career including Pinsent Masons legacy firm Masons, Hammonds and Reed Smith.

During his 30-year career York spent time in Asia and the Middle East and was an arbitrator as well as a litigator, serving on the panel of the Dubai International Arbitration Centre.

Nick Parden, co-head of Hogan Lovells’ Dubai practice, said: “Everyone’s deeply saddened by the passing of Stephen. This is particularly felt of course in the Dubai office, where he’d been a fantastic colleague and friend since he joined us in February 2010. He was a wonderfully positive and energetic man with a passion for life, and an extremely talented lawyer.”

Parden’s fellow Dubai head Rahail Ali added: “Stephen threw himself into working in Dubai with typically huge gusto, and it’s very sad that he only had such a relatively short time here. Even so, he made or cemented a great many friendships here, and we know that he’ll be greatly missed generally, and particularly so in the arbitration community in Dubai, which he loved being a part of.

“Stephen was a devoted family man, he has been a massive inspiration, and I’d like to highlight in particular what a fantastic mentor he was to the younger lawyers in the office, which gave him immense joy. He’ll be sorely missed and our heartfelt condolences have gone out to his family.”

Very sad news. Yorkie was a huge presence in Masons Hong Kong in the late 80s and early 90s and I remember him with great affection. Vale Stephen, our lives are richer for having known you. Condolences to Kath and family.